Katha Mia - Drums, Vocals
Carl Fornia - Guit… Read Full Bio ↴Martin Engler - Vocals
Katha Mia - Drums, Vocals
Carl Fornia - Guitar, Vocals
Manuel Antoni - Bass, Vocals
Mono Inc. rose from the ashes of several band projects, the frustrations of being forced into unwelcome directions by major record labels and the fervent wish to make uncompromising music. Founder members were Martin Engler, mastermind and songwriter, Carl Fornia and Miky Mono. In 2003 Manuel Antoni joined the band on bass guitar and also as a sound designer.It was made clear from the start that Mono Inc. would never sell their souls for a major record label deal and they decided to sign with the independent label NoCut. Their debut album Head Under Water was released in 2004 and was critically acclaimed as a new sound called ‘MONOROCK’. Two singles from the album made appearances in the most important German trend charts for rock, metal and gothic music such as DAC, MRC30 and Native25. The release was followed by extensive touring throughout Germany and Europe.
At the end of 2006, as the band gathered in the studio to prepare the material for the 2nd album, they were witness to a totally unexpected event: the break-up between the band and their front man; after endless discussions and the odd flying instrument the tensions between Martin and Miky had run so high that the band asked Miky to leave and decreed that Martin should take over the microphone.
Strangely this was not a spectacular change in sound for the band, as they were so used to Martin’s voice from his many demos, and he has been lead vocalist ever since. The free seat behind the drums was soon occupied by Katha Mia, probably Germany’s best-looking female drummer.
Martin and Katha first met backstage at a Depeche Mode concert in Aarhus, Denmark, in the summer of 2006. Katha knew of Mono Inc. and half-jokingly offered her percussive services in the event of Martin ever breaking a hand during the drum solo. He remembered this kind, misguided offer and decided to take a chance and invite her to the studio. On that fateful day the band was immediately, jaw-droppingly impressed by this sweet, enchanting beauty who sat behind the drumkit and packed such an unbelievable punch. The decision to grab her was made in seconds. With this exciting new line-up complete, the band relished recording their 2nd longplayer Temple of the Torn, which was released worldwide in June 2007.
The Hit-Single of this album (In My Heart) was the key for Mono Inc. to becoming a constant component of every Rock-DJ’s program and was changing the bands status of being an insiders’ tip into being resounded throughout the land. The 2nd half of the year 2007 the band enjoyed their new born harmony on the road and played all over the country and entered the next level when their song Burn Me was picked to become theme music of a new serial by a big German TV station. This serial started in September 2007 and still continues…
And now, in May 2008, Mono Inc. is back with a vengeance! The 3rd album CD Pain, Love And Poetry is steamrollering the gothic-scenery only 11 months after their last full length album. And it’s once again full of unbelievably good compositions. Musically the new album has everything we've come to expect from this band: breathtaking drum patterns, soaring bass lines, rich guitar walls, gorgeous keyboard pads and empathetic vocals create an evocative soundscape that captures the listener immediately. That’s what we expected… but Martin is singing his new songs with more confidence and authority than ever and you feel and believe every single word and note.
Lyrically the focus is (as the title already implies) intensely personal throughout, and anyone who has experienced the ups and downs (especially the downs) of love will find himself poetically echoed here. The first single Teach Me To Love, which comes as a duet with Lisa Middelhauve (female ex-vocalist of Goth-Metal-Band Xandria).
Not to be slowed down Mono inc released the EP Comedown in 2010, and the EP Revenge in 2011. Full Length albums poured out in the shape of Viva Hades in 2011 and freshly released After the War full length and EP. Listen now and fall deeply and lastingly in love with Germanys Dark-Rockers...
Eden
Mono Inc. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Only one black mile away
Gone and I stare at the blaze
Only one black mile away
She was hoping to fly
And a life without fear
She was hoping to see
All the answers so clear
Stranded here on the banks of Eden
In paradise but inside I die
Stranded here on the banks of Eden
In paradise but it's hard to say goodbye
Lost in the eye of the storm
Only one black mile away
Lost she went overboard
Only one black mile away
She was hoping for peace
And redemption to come
She was looking for grace
And a place in the sun
She was looking for more
Stranded here on the banks of Eden
In paradise but inside I die
Stranded here on the banks of Eden
In paradise but it's hard to say goodbye
But it's hard to say goodbye, yeah
Stranded here on the banks of Eden
In paradise but inside I die
Stranded here on the banks of Eden
In paradise but it's hard to say goodbye
Stranded here on the banks of Eden
In paradise but inside I die
Stranded here on the banks of Eden
In paradise but it's hard to say goodbye
Stranded here on the banks of Eden
In paradise but inside I die
Stranded here on the banks of Eden
In paradise but it's hard to say goodbye
The song "The Banks of Eden" by Mono Inc. describes a person who has lost their way and is essentially stranded in paradise. The lyrics suggest that this person is struggling with feelings of hopelessness, confusion, and despair despite being surrounded by beauty and calmness. The opening lines describe the person as being lost in a state of haze, staring at a blaze that is only one mile away. Perhaps this blaze represents some sort of danger or temptation that the person is trying to avoid, or a symbol of their inner turmoil that is bubbling just beneath the surface
The second verse describes the person as being "lost in the eye of the storm," which suggests that they are experiencing some sort of crisis or conflict. The person is looking for peace, redemption, and grace in a world that feels confusing and meaningless. The repetition of the phrase "stranded here on the banks of Eden... but it's hard to say goodbye" underscores the sense of being trapped, unable to move forward or find a way out of their predicament.
Overall, "The Banks of Eden" paints a picture of a soul in distress, struggling to find meaning and purpose in a world that seems both beautiful and terrifying.
Line by Line Meaning
Gone in the belt of the haze
Lost in the mist of confusion
Only one black mile away
Not far from oblivion
Gone and I stare at the blaze
Lost with no way back
She was hoping to fly
She dreamed of freedom
And a life without fear
Where she wouldn't feel trapped or threatened
She was hoping to see
She expected to find answers
All the answers so clear
As if there was only one solution
She was hoping for more
She yearned for something greater
Lost in the eye of the storm
Trapped in the midst of chaos
Lost she went overboard
She couldn't keep fighting
She was hoping for peace
She longed for tranquillity
And redemption to come
To find a way to make up for her mistakes
She was looking for grace
She sought forgiveness and acceptance
And a place in the sun
To find her own happiness
She was looking for more
She needed more than what she had
Stranded here on the banks of Eden
Stuck in a place of beauty but unable to enjoy it
In paradise but inside I die
Despite being somewhere idyllic, one can still suffer intensely
But it's hard to say goodbye, yeah
It's tough to let go
Lyrics © SCHUBERT MUSIC PUBLISHING INC.
Written by: Martin Engler
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@lenax7073
Can I put an extra thumbs up, just for Katha Mia?
A woman that drums like hell, sings like heaven, doesn't set an impossible goal for other young women by looking like a starved alien supermodel and does it all in a corset (Yes, these things are demonic!) with a face that is so relaxed you'd almost think singing and drumming while wearing a corset (and possible a very long skirt!) is something you master in kindergarten.
I applaud this epic woman.
@EDDGC
"that drums like hell, sings like heaven" perfect description. A woman that is a drummer and singer and not pretending to be a sex symbol. I have respect for her
@stubbycheese9555
She is quite the delight! She kinda has a "Xena warrior princess" vibe.
@Dracomandriuthus
It helps that it's not tightlaced, but yeah, she's awesome
@sabrinahaidvogl6711
es ist noch cooler als Numb
@AmericanGirl6128
Exactly!!!
@leonardo120y
Excelente grupo son uno de mis grupos preferidos recién también los descubrí fue uno de mis grupos que me acompañó durante la pandemia.
@dinawagner2251
Martin deine Stimme ist und bleibt eben einfach einzigartig 😍...Mono Inc FOREVER 👍
@svenarnold1382
Diese Band ist einfach nur absolute Klasse!
@BioSoldier53
God her voice is so angelic. I love it.